Detroit police raid wrong home in human trafficking investigation

Detroit police mistakenly raided the home of a family while trying to investigate reports of a human-trafficking ring.

Police said Wednesday that officers were responding after a hospitalized woman told police she was held against her will, raped, prostituted and forced to inject heroin with other girls inside an east Detroit home.

A resident of the raided home, Maria Navarrete, said she and her family were awakened and assaulted by armed officers Tuesday night. She said her family members, including her children, were handcuffed and held face-down on the floor.

Detroit Police Assistant Chief Arnold Williams said that after the search, officers determined the home wasn't the location of the alleged human-trafficking ring. Police didn't explain what they believe led them to the Navarrete home.

Navarette said her son was taking a shower when officers arrived.

"They pulled him out of the shower and I just don't want anyone else to go through what we went through," Navarrete said of her son. "They never showed us a police warrant. They threw us around, they kicked us — they my daughter in handcuffs, 13 years old."

Police said they've apologized to the family.

"Sometimes mistakes happen" and "apologies were made," Williams said.

Navarrete said she's filed a complaint.

"I'm angry because how are they going to come in here and give us one reason, then give us another reason, and then just say they're sorry and leave?" she said.

Williams said that while police are sorry, they defend their decision to raid the house.

"The fact that we had multiple other females underage who are being raped and drugged and could possibly be at that location too — we did everything we could in our power to end that," Williams said.

Police said they are investigating the family's complaint and are searching for the location of the alleged trafficking ring.